bishopstrow college€¦ · year’s record results, in terms of the percentage of candidates...

Bishopstrow College 1 Year IGCSE Programme Guide

2019/20

© OC&C Strategy Consultants 2013

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Introduction

Our 1 Year IGCSE Programme offers a range of subjects leading to up to 8 examinable subjects and is an

excellent preparation for students before they begin their A Level studies or the IB Diploma Programme at a

mainstream school. This Guide is designed to give you detailed information about our examination results,

school destinations, as well as descriptions of the different subjects which the College offers for the 1 Year

IGCSE Programme

It also gives me the opportunity to share some of the highlights of what has been another exciting year for

Bishopstrow College. They include:

Another strong set of results in the IGCSE examinations, with 96% of candidates achieving A*-C grades,

our best ever results, with 35% of grades achieved being A*-A. Meanwhile, our students continue to

achieve exceptional results in the Cambridge English Language Assessment examinations

Meanwhile, students enrolled on the 1 Year IGCSE Programme have secured entry into the Sixth Forms

of some of the UK’s top boarding schools, including Charterhouse, Cheltenham Ladies College, King’s

School Canterbury, Marlborough College and St Edward’s School, Oxford

All of the above paints a picture of a College which is providing a very high standard of education and care to

its students, whilst also providing a platform for entry into some of the very best schools in the UK. Our 1 Year

IGCSE Programme provides an exciting education through an integrated programme, which both engages and

challenges students at all stages of their intellectual development

I hope that you find this Guide interesting and that it will stimulate questions about Bishopstrow College and

encourage you to find out more about us and of course, visit our campus, including our new classroom

building. We are proud of the work that we do here and I would welcome the opportunity to talk to you about

our College.

With my best wishes

Stuart Nicholson, Principal


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Contents

Part Page

Results The pattern of recent IGCSE and Cambridge English Language Assessment results at

Bishopstrow College

4

School Destinations The schools to which our students go 6

Student Testimonials Feedback from students who recently completed the Programme 7

Overview of the Programme A summary of the key components of the Programme 8

Subjects Information about the subjects we teach 9

Typical Timetable A typical weekly timetable for the Programme 14

Sports and Social Programme An overview of sports and extra curricular activities 15

Excursions Details of weekly trips and excursions 16

Boarding and Pastoral Care An overview of boarding and pastoral care 17

Location and Directions Location and directions 18

Admissions Process The application process, including scholarships and bursaries 19


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Results: The Pattern of Recent IGCSE Results

Bishopstrow is an Authorised Centre for the University of

Cambridge International Examinations.

The College achieved another strong set of results in the IGCSE

examinations in 2019. The class of 2019 improved upon last

year’s record results, in terms of the percentage of candidates

achieving A*- C grades. This reflects the outstanding work of

students and staff alike.

Bishopstrow’s 1 Year IGCSE Results, 2015 to 2019

Relative to the 2019 World Averages for the Cambridge IGCSE

examinations, the College performed exceptionally well, with the

proportion of candidates securing an A*- C Grade exceeding the

world averages in a number of core subjects, including English as

a Second Language, Mathematics, Chemistry and Business

Studies.

Bishopstrow College A*- C Grades at IGCSE, 2019 versus

World Average (June 2019)

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

A*- A Grade 20% 40% 55% 41% 35%

A*- C Grade 90% 93% 90% 96% 96%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

ESL Mathematics CombinedScience

BusinessStudies

History

Bishopstrow College World Average


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Results: The Pattern of Recent Cambridge English Language Assessment Results

The necessity of competency in the English language becomes

much more of an issue as students begin to study IGCSE level

courses and prepare for examinations. The demands are even

greater for those wishing to study A Levels, with Sixth Forms

requiring a much higher level of proficiency in the language. At

most entry points, these skills will need to be tested and

sometimes backed up by a certificate from one of the many

Cambridge English Language Assessment examinations.

Bishopstrow College is an Authorised Centre for the University of

Cambridge English Language Assessment examinations. All

students at the College follow an intensive course in English for

academic purposes, with a large part of the English language

timetable devoted to ‘academic English’, the study of reading and

writing academic texts, listening to lengthy discussions on topical

or specialist subjects, delivering presentations or taking part in

debates. Essentially, this is the delivery of an English programme

but within the context of education.

Students at Bishopstrow not only learn the language, but also

learn the techniques required to plan and structure an argument,

identify facts and opinions in reading texts, and follow a speaker’s

line of argument. Students cover the skills necessary to learn

independently, such as how to effectively record vocabulary,

‘guess’ unknown words in a challenging text, and proof read their

own work to correct errors and learn from them.

Bishopstrow College’s Cambridge English: Preliminary

(PET) Results, 2015 to 2019

Bishopstrow College has a distinguished track record of success

in the Cambridge English Language Assessment examinations.

In the PET examination, 100% of students have achieved a Pass,

Merit or Distinction, whilst in the FCE examination, the proportion

of candidates obtaining an A, B or C Grade has exceeded 75% in

each of the last 5 years.

Bishopstrow College’s Cambridge English: First (FCE)

Results, 2015 to 2019

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

% of Students

Obtaining a Pass, Merit

or Distinction

100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

% of Students

Obtaining an A, B or C

Grade

94% 100% 77% N/A N/A


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School Destinations – Summary Information

The vast majority of students attending Bishopstrow College

continue their education at a British boarding school or sixth form

college, with a small number opting to join an international school

outside the UK or to return home to continue their studies.

Leading schools all over the world welcome our students, as

during their year at Bishopstrow College, they are well prepared for

and guided through admissions processes, including entrance

examinations and interviews.

Students have been successful in securing places at some of the

UK’s most prestigious schools, including a number of leading IB

World Schools.

The destination schools of senior students leaving Bishopstrow

College in recent years is as follows:

School Destinations

Senior Schools

Abingdon School

Badminton

Cheltenham College

Concord College

Dauntsey’s School

Eastbourne College

Gordonstoun

Harrow

King’s School Canterbury

Marlborough College

Merchiston Castle School

Millfield

Oundle School

Queen Anne’s School

Queen Ethelburga’s College

Queenswood

Roedean School

Shrewsbury School

St Mary’s School Cambridge

Strathallan School

The Leys School

The Royal Hospital School

Uppingham

Wycombe Abbey

Senior Schools offering the

IB (‘IB World Schools’)

Bedford School

Bradfield College

Bromsgrove School

Bryanston School

CATS College

Charterhouse

Cheltenham Ladies’ College

Ellesmere College

Felsted School

Fettes College

Gresham’s School

Haileybury

Kent College Canterbury

King Edward’s School Witley

Leighton Park School

Malvern College

Oakham School

Rydal Penrhos

Sevenoaks School

St Clare’s, Oxford

St Edward’s School Oxford

Stonyhurst College

Worth School


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Student Testimonials

Olena: From Ukraine

Programme: 1 Year IGCSE Programme

School Destination: Cheltenham Ladies’ College

Comments: Bishopstrow College actively helped me prepare for the entrance

examinations for the destination schools that I had applied to. Bishopstrow also

helped me improve my English significantly – I could never have hoped for such an

improvement on my own. This helped me adapt to studying in a new environment,

with people who mostly speak only English

Alin: From Romania

Programme: 1 Year IGCSE Programme

School Destination: Bromsgrove School

Comments: When I arrived at Bishopstrow, my Science and Mathematics ability

needed improving. With the help of my teachers, I have been able to progress my

level in these subjects. I am very proud of my achievements here. The College is

like a small family. If we need any help, the boarding staff are always there for us


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Overview of the Programme

Group Subject Details

1 Languages English as a Second Language

Own Language

2 Mathematics Mathematics

Additional Mathematics, for more able mathematicians

3 Sciences Science - Single Award

Science - Double Award, for more able scientists

4 Humanities Business Studies

History

5 Other (Non Examined Subjects) Global Perspectives

Personal, Social and Health Education (‘PSHE’)


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Subjects Group 1: Languages

English as a Second Language

Overview Students develop a strong communicative ability in English and learn to understand a range of social registers

and styles

They gain a greater awareness of the nature of language and language-learning skills

The subject is taught to encourage an international perspective on culture and learning

This course is a sound foundation for progression to further study at A Level, IB and Pre-U qualifications

The Course Students study for around 4 hours a week, with an additional 1.5 hours of supervised “prep” (homework).

Written and spoken communication in the language is assessed by coursework, weekly assessments and

external examinations

Previous Knowledge Students will require at least an A2 Level of English language ability on entry


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Subjects Group 2: Mathematics

Mathematics Additional Mathematics

Overview Students develop mathematical knowledge as a key

life skill, and as a basis for more advanced study

The syllabus aims to build learners' confidence by

helping them develop a feel for numbers, patterns

and relationships, and places a strong emphasis on

solving problems and presenting and interpreting

results

Learners also gain an understanding of how to

communicate and reason using mathematical

concepts

The Additional Mathematics syllabus is intended for

high ability candidates who are likely to achieve,

Grade A*, A or B in the Cambridge IGCSE

Mathematics examination.

The syllabus aims to further develop mathematical

concepts and principles, extend mathematical skills

and students’ use of more advanced techniques

Students will develop an ability to solve problems,

present solutions logically and interpret results

The Course Students study for around 4 hours a week, with an

additional 1 hour of supervised prep. Progress and

ability are assessed through weekly assessments

and external examinations

Students will study this course alongside the

Mathematics course. Progress and ability are

assessed through weekly assessments and external

examinations covering mathematical techniques and

applications for problem solving

Previous Knowledge Students will have studied at least the equivalent of

the British Key Stage 3 Mathematics curriculum

Additional Mathematics is available to students who

are more able mathematicians

Students will have studied at least the equivalent of

the British Key Stage 3 Mathematics curriculum and

have a strong ability in the subject


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Subjects Group 3: Sciences

Combined Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics)

– Single Award

Co-ordinated Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and

Physics) – Double Award

Overview The Cambridge IGCSE Combined Sciences syllabus gives

learners the opportunity to study biology, chemistry and

physics within a scientifically coherent syllabus. It is a single

award, equating to one IGCSE qualification

The syllabus encourages learners to develop a better

understanding of the technological world, with an informed

interest in scientific matters

It encourages a recognition of the usefulness (and limitations)

of scientific method, and how to apply this to other disciplines

and in everyday life

Students will develop relevant attitudes, such as a concern for

accuracy and precision, objectivity, integrity, enquiry, initiative

and inventiveness

Students will gain an understanding of the scientific skills

essential for both further study and everyday life.

Cambridge IGCSE Co-ordinated Science is designed for

students with a stronger level of English and ability in the

sciences.

The course gives learners the opportunity to study Biology,

Chemistry and Physics within a cross-referenced,

scientifically coherent syllabus. It is a Double Award,

equating to two IGCSE qualifications

Students gain an understanding of the basic principles of each

subject through a mix of theoretical and practical studies,

while also developing an understanding of the scientific skills

essential for further study

Students learn how science is studied and practised, and

become aware that the results of scientific research can have

both good and bad effects on individuals, communities and

the environment

The Course Students study for 4hours a week with an additional 1.5 hours

of supervised prep. Progress and ability are assessed

through weekly assessments and external examinations

covering knowledge and understanding, handling information

and problem solving, and experimental skills and

investigations

Students study for around 8 hours a week with an additional 2

hour of supervised prep. Progress and ability are assessed

through weekly assessments and external examinations

covering knowledge and understanding, handling information

and problem solving, and experimental skills and

investigations

Previous Knowledge Students will have studied the equivalent of the British Key

Stage 3 Science curriculum

Co-ordinated Science is available to students who are more

able scientists with a stronger level of English and suitable

prior learning.


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Subjects Group 4: Humanities

Business Studies History

Overview This course develops a student’s understanding of

business activity in the public and private sectors,

and the importance of innovation and change.

Students find out how the major types of business

organisation are established, financed and run, and

how their activities are regulated. Factors

influencing business decision-making are also

considered, as are the essential values of

cooperation and interdependence

Students develop an understanding of the nature of

cause and effect, continuity and change, similarity

and difference and find out how to use and

understand historical evidence in the study of 19th

and 20th Century history

The Course Students study for around 4 hours a week with an



and external examinations covering knowledge and

understanding, application, analysis and evaluation

Students study for around 4 hours a week with an



and external examinations covering knowledge,

evaluation and application of skills

Previous Knowledge No previous knowledge is required

Students will require a strong level of English (Level

B1 or higher) in order to meet the demands of the

IGCSE examination

No previous knowledge is required

Students will require a strong level of English (Level

B1 or higher) in order to meet the demands of the

IGCSE examination


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Subjects Group 5: Other (Non Examined Subjects)

Global Perspectives Personal, Social and Health Education (‘PSHE’)

Overview The emphasis of this course is on developing the

ability to think critically about a range of global

issues, where there is always more than one point

of view

Students learn how to work effectively in a group,

take part in seminars, complete projects, and work

with other learners around the world

Students have opportunities to acquire and apply a

range of skills, including gathering, synthesising and

communicating information, collaborating with

others to achieve a common outcome, analysing

and evaluating planning processes and outcomes

and developing and justifying a line of reasoning

The course covers how cultures around the world

view various social issues, such as ‘Human Rights’

and ‘Racism’, as well as discussing different cultural

interpretations of concepts such as ‘Charity’ and

‘Human Rights’

It balances learning about ‘self’ with learning about

the culture in which students are living

Students also have the opportunity to learn about

British traditions, customs and history

The Course Students study for around 2 hours a week.

Progress and ability are assessed by coursework,

weekly assessments and external examinations

Students study PSHE for approximately 30 minutes

a week, as part of whole College assemblies and

fortnightly in English tutorials

Previous Knowledge No previous knowledge of the subject is required No previous knowledge of the subject is required


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Time Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

7.30 Wake-up

7.30 – 8.15 Breakfast Wake-up

8.45 – 9.00 Assembly Breakfast

9.00 – 10.00 Science Mathematics Science Mathematics Science

Assessment

All Day

Excursion

10.00 – 10.25 Morning Break

10.25 – 11.25 Science Mathematics Science Business Studies Science

11.25 – 12.25 Mathematics Business Studies Statistics Business Studies Geography

Free Time

Sport

Activities

12.25 – 1.20 Lunch

1.20 – 1.25 Registration

1.25 – 2.25 English History Geography Geography English

2.25 – 3.25 History English History Geography English

3.25 – 3.50 Afternoon Break

3.50 – 4.50 Business Studies Science History Science Statistics

4.50 – 5.50 Sport

6.30 – 7.00 Dinner

7.15 – 8.15 Prep / Self Study / Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award Scheme

8.15 – 9.45 Free Time

From 9.45 Bedtime

Typical Timetable


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Sports and Social Programme

The College’s extra curricular programme includes a

range of daily sports, morning and evening clubs and

activities, designed to foster team spirit and the

confidence to integrate with others when students

move on from Bishopstrow.

Sports include athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket,

football, handball, hockey, netball, rounders, rugby and

tennis.

Morning and afternoon clubs include: ‘The Crazy

Scientist Club’, Chess Club and Debating Club. Other

activities include the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award

Scheme.

Like most British independent schools, we have a

House system, with students competing in

multinational teams for trophies in debating, spelling

bee, drama and sports.

The College is able to arrange other activities such as

horse riding and golf on request, for an additional

charge.


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Excursions

As well as our on-site activities, we organise a

stimulating and varied programme of fully-

supervised trips at weekends. Some allow students

to discover places of cultural, geographical and

historical interest; others encourage students to

sample the great outdoors, through walking, hiking,

cycling and other physical pursuits.

Sightseeing, cultural visits and even shopping

provide contexts within which speaking and listening

skills are put to the test; they are also great fun and

provide memories to last a lifetime.

Excursions may include:

London museums and art galleries

Hiking on nearby Salisbury Plain

Cycling and orienteering in forests

Outdoor activity centres

Trips to the beach and coastal walking

Visits to neighbouring towns and cities, such as

Bath, Bristol, Cardiff, Salisbury and Oxford


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Boarding and Pastoral Care

We take our students’ safety and welfare

extremely seriously, and our pastoral care

has been judged an area of strength.

Fully-qualified staff are always available to

discuss personal and health matters with

students. All boarding staff have first aid

training and where necessary, students are

taken to the local doctor for medical

treatment, in the unlikely event that this is

required.

Senior College students live in shared

rooms of 2 or 3. Senior Girls have a suite

of rooms in Barrow House at the heart of

the main campus and there are also three

further Senior boarding houses located a

short distance from the College and across

the road from the main campus.

All students have access to indoor and

outdoor recreational facilities, common

rooms, study spaces and Wi-Fi. All meals

are served in the main dining room in

Barrow House. We also provide a laundry

service.

“Bishopstrow College allowed me

to move up to the IGCSE cohort

and this helped me build a

foundation in subjects that I had

not studied previously in China,

such as Science”


18

Location and Directions

London

Bishopstrow

Bath

Salisbury

Bishopstrow is located on the edge of Warminster, an ancient

market town, with many places of interest within easy reach,

including Stonehenge and Bath (both UNESCO World Heritage

Sites) and the cathedral city of Salisbury.

The Programme includes return transfers from London’s

Heathrow and Gatwick airports, Bristol airport, or from London

Waterloo and London Paddington railway stations. Parents

wishing to bring students directly to Bishopstrow will find the

College very accessible.

Despite its rural setting, Bishopstrow College is easily reached by

road (M3, M4 and M5) and is close to UK gateway airports at

London Heathrow (90 minutes), Gatwick (90 minutes) and Bristol

(30 minutes). Trains from Warminster railway station (five

minutes from the College) run directly to London Waterloo and

Paddington.


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If you want to apply for the 1 Year IGCSE Programme, please:

Complete the Registration Form on our website

Make payment of the Registration Fee of £150 via Flywire,

using the link on our website

Submit a school report from your current school

Provide a character reference from a head teacher, teacher or

tutor

When we have received all of the above, we will assess the school

reports and character reference. If these are satisfactory, we will:

Arrange a Password assessment in the home country or at

Bishopstrow College

Arrange a Skype or face-to-face interview with the Principal

On completion of the interview and Password assessment, if these

are satisfactory, we will offer a place at Bishopstrow College.

Admissions Process

Fees for the 1 Year IGCSE Programme Programme are £12,700

per term for the 2019/20 academic year. Fees include all tuition,

full board accommodation and excursions and activities.

On accepting our offer of a place at Bishopstrow College, you will

need to pay a refundable deposit of £1,200 to the College. Fees

are payable 8 weeks before arrival.

Please send all correspondence to:

Natalie Cox

Registrar

Bishopstrow College

Bishopstrow

Warminster

Wiltshire

BA12 9HU

[email protected]

Tel: +44 (0) 1985 219210

mailto:[email protected]



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Scholarships and Bursaries are currently awarded to students on

the 1 Year IGCSE Programme on the basis of the student’s

potential to achieve outstanding results in IGCSEs and in their

education beyond Bishopstrow

Scholarships

Scholarships are currently awarded to exceptional students

enrolling on the 1 Year IGCSE Programme. They are offered, to

registered students on the basis of an assessment of the

applicant’s school report, performance in a Skype or face-to-face

interview with the College’s Principal or Director of Studies and

performance in the Password English and Mathematics

Scholarship Assessment

Scholarships apply to course fees only and are worth up to 15% of

the overall fees on the 1 Year IGCSE Programme

Scholarship applications are considered at the time of application.

For further details, please contact Natalie Cox, Registrar at

[email protected]

Admissions Process Scholarships and Bursaries

Bursaries

Bursaries are awarded to provide financial assistance to parents

who could not otherwise afford to send their child to the

College. Parents in this position are welcome to apply for

Bursary assistance

Each academic year, two bursaries are available on the 1 Year

IGCSE Programme, up to a maximum of 30% of fees

Bursaries are assessed through testing as described opposite

and also on the basis of a means-tested assessment relating to

the family’s ability to pay.

The College will normally award Scholarships and Bursaries, but

reserves the right not to award Scholarships and Bursaries if, in

the opinion of the Principal, there is not a suitable candidate

For further details, please contact Natalie Cox, Registrar at

[email protected]



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